Who wins and who loses from the Braskem CPI investigations?

Amidst the political hubbub that marks the end of the year in Brasília, a regional issue caused by the exploration of rock salt by Braskem in Maceió (AL) gained national contours, and even the installation of its own Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) in the Senate. The new investigation has raised questions on the Esplanada dos Ministérios: who wins and who loses with this CPI?

Sources linked to the Palácio do Planalto state that the government would not like a parliamentary commission of inquiry at a time when the economic area is trying in every way to approve projects in the National Congress to increase revenue, and thus meet the fiscal target in 2024. There are There is also the aggravating factor that the Chamber and the Senate are about to go into parliamentary recess, and the CPI could cause wear and tear and take the focus away from what really matters at the moment for the Executive.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) called a meeting with the mayor of Maceió, João Henrique Caldas (PL) – political ally of the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), Lira himself and senator Renan Calheiros ( MDB-AL) to try to contain tempers in the issue involving petrochemicals and local authorities; in addition to trying to put an end to the already well-known rivalry between Lira and Calheiros, who are vying for power and prestige in Alagoas politics.

Despite having tried to mediate regional disputes in Alagoas, and call the main parties involved to discuss a solution to the environmental disaster in Alagoas, the federal government was unsuccessful in its attempt to stop the investigation, and the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry was installed on Wednesday -Friday (13). The CPI will be chaired by senator Omar Aziz (PSD-AM). The vice-president will be Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO).

According to senator Otto Alencar (PSD-BA), who led the installation, the CPI should only begin work in February of next year, with the rapporteur appointed by the president of the commission. The most popular name is that of senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL), author of the request to set up the commission. With 11 full members, the panel will have 120 days to complete the work.

Political enemies, Lira and Calheiros have different positions on the CPI

Political rivals in Alagoas, where they are competing for space for the electorate, the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira, and senator Renan Calheiros differed once again on the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry. While the senator fiercely defended the investigation, Lira, Lula, the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, and the government leader in the Senate, Jacques Wagner, fear that the investigation into Braskem will go beyond the main objective, which is to find out how it is the money already paid by Braskem was spent on compensation – especially the agreement that the petrochemical company reached with the city of Alagoas to pay R$1.7 billion.

The clauses in the contract signed with the city hall also give Braskem tax forgiveness and ownership of the affected areas. Another fact that also worries political opponents of the current mayor, João Henrique Caldas, is that he will receive the entire amount of compensation in 2024, the election year. The group of governor Paulo Dantas (MDB), an ally of Renan Calheiros, who is expected to launch a candidacy for mayor of the capital, would be at a disadvantage, as the state Executive was unable to close any agreement with Braskem.

Another who disagrees with the CPI is senator Marcos Rogério (PL-RO). The parliamentarian told the People’s Gazette that “it is something that you know how it starts and you don’t know how it ends, what the consequences will be. This is a regional case that can go beyond the local issue. There you have a situation that needs to be investigated, but it is the type of investigation, by involved in this whole process, which could have national ramifications, and expose the government”.

Government fears that investigations will spill over to Petrobras

Among the points that weigh against a more in-depth investigation into the causes that could have led to the sinking of Braskem mines in the capital of Alagoas are the Lula government’s fear that the investigations could spill over to Petrobras. Although it is a non-controlling shareholder in the company, the company still holds 36.1% of the mining company’s capital and there is a risk of the CPI affecting the oil company’s business.

In a statement, Petrobras reported that “it is closely monitoring the situation regarding the displacement of rock salt mines in Maceió and expresses its solidarity with the affected population.” The note also says that the company “continues to monitor the issue within the governance provided for in corporate participation, and is committed to monitoring and demanding a solution from Braskem as soon as possible, with respect for the impacted families.”

The president of Petrobras, Jean Paul Prates, said that the issue should not be the subject of the CPI, but that Petrobras will go to the commission to answer the senators’ questions. “It will be a situation of, let’s say, less investigation and more public knowledge of the issue. And perhaps, I hope, a lot of conciliation now.”

Crisis at Braskem could harm Novonor (former Odebrecht)

Another problem that worries the government, and especially palace ministers, as well as other members of the base, is that the crisis in Maceió will ruin the sale of the company by Novonor, formerly Odebrecht, which has been trying to sell Braskem for years.

The deal is seen as crucial for the construction company, which is in judicial recovery following investigations into Operation Lava Jato, the largest anti-corruption operation in Brazil. But the sale could become more difficult with the worsening of the environmental crisis in Maceió.

Furthermore, members of the federal and Bahian governments fear that Braskem’s CPI could disrupt the construction company Novonor’s business with the Bahian Executive. Odebrecht/Novonor and OAS/Metha are expected to join the new consortium that will carry out the work on the Subúrbio VLT, in Salvador. A third company must also be part of the group.